Instant Freeze Pack

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to an improved freeze pack system that can instantly freeze any sports drink, electrolyte drink, or beverage into ice cold slush. The system comprises a pouch having central compartment and two compartments on the periphery of the pouch. The edible food item or beverage can be placed inside of the central compartment and the cold packs are placed inside the outer compartments that surround it from outside.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

MICROFICHE

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for making frozen beverages and other food items. The invention particularly relates to an instant freeze pack for freezing food items, and to a method of producing frozen beverages, ice cream, and other frozen confections using the apparatus.

(2) Background of the Invention

There are many times that an individual is on the go and wishes to drink a beverage. Many individuals take a drink with them to the gym, to work, on the subway, and so forth. Most people prefer chilled beverages. However, ice is not always readily accessible, especially while in transit. Locating a refrigerator is also not always plausible. It can take several hours for a drink to get cold in a refrigerator, which can be inconvenient. A more efficient emergency cooling method is needed. Accordingly, various ice or cold packs are developed, such as an instant cold pack.

An instant cold pack is a device that consists of two bags. One bag contains water and is inside of a bag that contains ammonium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate, or urea. When the inner bag of water is broken by squeezing the package, it is allowed to dissolve the solid in an endothermic reaction. This reaction absorbs heat from the surroundings, quickly lowering the pack's temperature. Instant cold packs are a convenient direct replacement for crushed ice used as first aid on sport injuries.

Numerous innovations for heat transfer systems have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they differ from the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,447,825 B1 describes an invention that relates to an instant menu pack and to a method for producing and making ready for use such an instant menu pack. Instant menu packs have a substantially tray-like base part whose circumferential sidewall diverges outwards from a substantially flat bottom, wherein an instant menu is filled which is preferably pre-cooked and deep freezable.

Another prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 3,977,202 A, provides a cold pack device comprised of an anhydrous salt, salt hydrate, and a water miscible liquid, wherein said components are contained in a package such that they are separated until activation is desired. Upon activation, the components are mixed and an endothermic reaction occurs. It results in a lowering of the temperature of the mixture to a therapeutic range and maintaining said temperature for a substantial amount of time.

Yet another prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 8,240,300 B1, provides a hot/cold pack product that includes two sheet structures, one of which includes compartments holding dehydrated gel powder, and the other of which is an insulating and water proof sheet structure attached to the first sheet structure.

One more prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 3,715,891 A, relates to a technique for freezing consumable meat products, and, more particularly, to such a process wherein ice crystals are formed from the natural moisture within the products for the purpose of preserving same.

Another prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,996 A, provides compositions for thermal energy storage or thermal energy generation, and, more particularly, to a composition comprised of a silica based gel or dry powder containing a water/urea phase change material for thermal energy storage or an endothermic or exothermic compound for thermal energy generation. This kind of system is used in case of physical injury or for freezing other useful products.

Yet another prior art, Patent No CA 2856313 A1, provides a method and apparatus for making frozen beverages, ice cream, and other frozen confections. The invention further provides an improved method and freezing liner for operation of a frozen beverage device, and to methods of producing frozen beverages, ice cream and other frozen confections using the device.

According to another prior art, Patent No US 20120198860 A1, related to a beverage chilling apparatus, the invention provides a convenient and efficient way of producing a cold beverage without the use of ice or refrigerator. A unique emergency cooling solution is used to chill a wide variety of consumable beverages.

Another prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 7,810,348 B2, provides a container that has a thermal pack aligned on a central axis of container. The thermal pack includes a material, such as phase change material, for cooling (or heating) the liquid in the container.

Yet another prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 5,216,900 A, provides a soft-sided cooler with a pivotally fastenable lid and a soft-sided coolant pack dimensioned to fit snugly within the underside region of the lid. The underside region is defined by a plurality of generally opposing, inwardly facing sidewalls that extend downward towards the cooler body for fastening thereto when the lid is closed. The cooling pack is comprised of a matrix of coolant cells integrally formed within a compliant plastic sheet and inserted within a fabric envelope. The envelope, in turn, bears Velcro fastening material, which release-ably retains the envelope within the underside of the lid by mating with VELCRO surfaces on at least a generally opposing pair of the sidewalls.

One more prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,126 A, provides a method and apparatus for rapidly chilling a cool pack associated with a refrigeration system. A slush-like medium is introduced into the pack in a first step, and frozen to a substantially solid state in a second step.

Another prior art, Patent No EP 0731639 A1, provides a ready-to-freeze alcoholic beverage. More particularly, the invention is directed to such an alcoholic beverage which is shelf stable in liquid form and designed to be placed in a freezer, preferably a consumer's freezer, for a period of time until it assumes a “slushy” consistency, such as a frozen cocktail prepared in a blender or commercial slush machines found in bars and restaurants.

Another prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 6,438,965 B1, provides a plastic cold pack comprised of a water bag and a coolant consisting of ammonium, nitrate sodium carboxyl methyl cellulose, and sodium chloride. To use, press or knead the cold pack to break the water bag. Instantly, a chemical reaction occurs, as the coolant mixes with water released from the water bag. Such chemical reaction is capable of cooling a contact object at about 26° C. instantly for serving as a soothing means in an emergency.

Thus, as disclosed in prior arts, the instant freeze pack system has been used in a variety of sectors. However, none of the prior art has stressed upon its application to instant freezing of beverages and food item to be used at remote locations, especially by MRE. Thus, there arises a need for such an arrangement, wherein the present technology can be incorporated into instant freezing of eatables and thus can be an added advantage.

Accordingly, the present invention overcomes all of the disadvantages cited in the prior art, and provides a solution for the customer to conveniently carry the all kind of products using the above mentioned technology.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing applications inherent in the known types of instant freeze pack systems present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new instant freeze pack system to instantly freeze edible eatables such as various food products and beverages to be used later. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new application of the instant freeze pack system that has all of the advantages of the prior art, and none of the disadvantages.

An objective of the present invention is to provide an improved freeze pack system that can instantly freeze any sports drink, electrolyte drink, or beverage into ice cold slush.

Another objective of the present invention is to turn a protein shake into protein ice cream, or any food product, such as yogurt, pudding, or apple sauce, into a frozen treat.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a system wherein the food product or drink can be placed inside of the instant freeze pack, which is surrounded by instant cold packs from outside.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a permanent “instant freeze pack,” wherein the pack can be reused.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

Numerous objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments, and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions, and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify various aspects of some example embodiments of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawing. It is appreciated that the drawing depicts only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is the front view of the instant freeze pack of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is the side view of the instant freeze pack of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present disclosure described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the present disclosure.

The following embodiments and the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form part of this disclosure, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The instant freeze pack of the present invention FIG. 1 can be utilized for multiple beverages and food items to instantly freeze any sports drink, electrolyte drink, or margarita into ice cold slush, turn a protein shake into protein ice cream, or any food product, such as yogurt, pudding, or applesauce, into a frozen treat (1).

The present invention is exactly opposite of the M.R.E (a military food) which contains a chemical heat packet and when water is added, it brings food packet to a near boil cooking your meal. The present invention provides a system for instantly freezing different energy drinks through the use of these packs in order to be used later into the field. The present system serves two major functions: lower body temperature and avoid heat exhaustion, and adequately hydrate essential electrolytes. The present invention can further be used as instant freeze pack for instantly preparing ice creams, wherein the essential ingredients used for making ice cream are already sealed together in the package, which when needed can be instantly frozen using instant freeze pack. The invention rests in a small pouch (2) having dimensions for example 5″×5″ or inches. The center compartment (3) has Velcro (4) and opens up, allowing for placement of a food item or any beverage or the like of consumer's choice inside. On the outside of the pouch, on the front and back are two more compartments (3) where disposable instant cold packs are placed FIG. 2. The food or beverage item never comes in direct contact with the instant ice packs.

In the prior arts the food item or beverage had to come in direct contact of instant ice pack that got them to −10 to −15 deg. F. and stayed near that temp for 2-3 minutes. All instant ice packs currently use ammonium nitrate or urea which is activated when a small water pouch is popped. Ammonium nitrate is fading out as it is explosive in the presence of a direct flame source, yet it is still being sold in U.S. If more ammonium nitrate is used, the pack can get colder. The military requires instant ice packs to stay between 20-40° F. as it can be used on the body over an injury. Some packs mix ammonium formate, urea and water to reach temps between −13 and −30° F.

It is also an added advantage of using the present invention, wherein the present invention can be reused. Also, the present invention can be used differently, wherein using a single instant cold packet will turn the beverage item ice cold, and using two packets simultaneously will freeze it into a slush or ice cream consistency.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement that is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown.

This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for instantly freezing an edible item comprising: a pouch with a central compartment; and at least one compartment configured to outer periphery of said central compartment.
 2. The system for instantly freezing an edible item according to claim 1, wherein said central compartment is closed using a Velcro attachment.
 3. The system for instantly freezing an edible item according to claim 1, wherein said pouch having at least one said compartment on the front side of and said compartment on the back side.
 4. The system for instantly freezing an edible item according to claim 1, wherein said edible item is housed inside said central compartment.
 5. The system for instantly freezing an edible item according to claim 1, wherein a disposable instant cold pack is placed inside at least one compartment configured to outer periphery said central compartment.
 6. The system for instantly freezing an edible item according to claim 5, wherein said disposable instant cold pack instantly freezes said edible item.
 6. The system for instantly freezing an edible item according to claim 1, wherein said edible item is selected from a group comprising a beverage, an ice cream, a food item. 